Bessie Martz

Bessie Martz, 90, of Garrett, Indiana passed away Sunday morning, June 18, 2017, at her residence.

She was born in Clarksville, Michigan on June 10, 1927 to William and Mabel (Jackson) Billington, both of whom preceded her in death.

Bessie married Clifton LaVaughn Martz on June 10, 1948 at her brother-in-law’s home and he preceded her in death on February 7, 1995.

She was a seamstress and a homemaker. After she raised her children, she worked at Peerless Cleaners and at F & B Cleaners in Fort Wayne as a seamstress. She also used her talents to help the church with tablecloths and costumes for plays.

She was a former member of Colony Heights Church of Christ in Fort Wayne.

Bessie is survived by two daughters, Charyl (Michael) Alexander of Roanoke & Donna (Kris) Oler of Churubusco; three sons, Leslie (Patricia) Martz of Angola; Brad (Diana) Martz of Fort Wayne; & Rand (Carla) Martz of Garrett; two brothers, Raymond (Ina) Billington of Baltimore, MD & Harold William "Bill" Billington of Linn Grove; 12 grandchildren; & six great-grandchildren.

Bessie was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Martz (March 4, 1983); grandson, Nicolas Martz (1980); three brothers, Samuel Billington; Nelson Billington; and Burley Billington; four sisters, Beulah Vore; Laura Beane; Jane Billington; & Doris Ann Billington; half-brother, Harold Lee Billington; & three half-sisters, Dorothy Faye Harris; Aletha Andrew; & Dorothy Beatrice Patterson.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 22, 2017, at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur with Pastor K. Paul Maurer officiating and the Eulogy provided by Brad Martz. Burial will follow in Ray Cemetery in Monroe.

Family & friends will be received from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, June 21, 2017 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur and one hour prior to services on Thursday.

Preferred memorials are to Visiting Nurse & Hospice Home in Fort Wayne.